NAIROBI —Rwanda has formally withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), accusing the regional body of undermining its sovereignty and ignoring its rightful turn to lead.
The move follows a row at this week’s summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where the bloc named the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to chair—a position Rwanda insists was due to be handed to Kigali under the group’s own rules.
“This is not just a diplomatic slight,” said a senior Rwandan official, speaking on background. “It’s a clear violation of the principles that hold the organisation together.”
In a strongly-worded statement, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation described the decision as a “deliberate exclusion” designed to sideline its leadership. It accused the DRC of “instrumentalising” the organisation, with the support of unnamed allies.
“Rwanda deplores the instrumentalisation of ECCAS by the DRC, with the support of certain member states,” the statement read. “This distortion of the organisation’s purpose was once again evident during the 26th Ordinary Summit held today in Malabo.”
The latest rift reflects growing tension between Rwanda and the DRC, whose relations have soured over accusations of interference, support for rebel groups, and territorial disputes in the eastern Congo region. Both sides deny wrongdoing.
ECCAS, founded in 1983, was established to encourage cooperation in trade, infrastructure, and security across Central Africa. It has 11 members, including Rwanda, Angola, Cameroon, and Chad.
Rwanda has repeatedly voiced frustration with what it sees as procedural breaches. The government said it had already protested to the African Union after being left out of a previous summit in 2023, held in Kinshasa under the DRC’s chairmanship.
“No action was taken. The silence and inaction that followed confirm the organisation’s failure to enforce its own rules,” the foreign ministry said.
Officials in Kigali said the bloc’s leadership ignored provisions in Article 6 of the ECCAS treaty, which outlines the rotating nature of the chairmanship.
“The exclusion of Rwanda constitutes a serious infringement of its sovereign rights,” the statement continued. “Rwanda sees no justification for remaining in an organisation whose current functioning runs counter to its founding principles and intended purpose.”
There has been no immediate public response from ECCAS or the DRC.
Analysts say the decision could further fracture an already fragile bloc at a time when Central Africa is facing serious economic and security challenges, including coups, insurgencies, and cross-border displacement.
“This signals a troubling breakdown in regional diplomacy,” said Dr. Amadou Tamba, a political analyst based in Dakar. “It’s not just about who chairs a meeting. It’s about trust and clearly, that’s in short supply.”
Whether Rwanda’s withdrawal will be permanent remains to be seen. Some regional diplomats privately hope there may still be room for reconciliation behind the scenes.
But for now, Kigali has made its position clear and the message resonates far beyond Central Africa’s borders.
